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Apr. 24th, 2010 07:09 pmWe went into the last game of the season, against Chelmsford at Westleigh Park, needing both a win and a couple of unlikely other results to get us into the play-offs, so few of us believed there was much real chance of it happening. And yet... As we entered the ground Mark said to me "I keep trying to tell myself it's not important, but it is."
There was a huge crowd (over 1300, it was later announced), boosted by plenty of Portsmouth fans come to lend us their support and a large travelling army from Chelmsford, already assured of a plum play-off spot. Alan stopped me for a chat on my way round the ground, then I stopped by Sharon's Tardis to cast my vote for player of the month. Talking to Dave, when I said I'd see him on Tuesday night (the day of the play-off first leg) "if we make it", Dave replied "If? When we make it!"
"You really think Weymouth or St Albans'll do us a favour?"
"Why not? Stranger things have happened," said Dave, and he began reminiscing about our FA Cup run of two years ago.
When Chelmsford scored twice in the first half, our faint hopes looked dead and buried even when Wes Fogden pulled one back with a beautiful curler from the wing just before the break. I was holding the piece of paper on which I'd written out the teams for my texting duties; as Mike passed me at half time to go to the jacks, he looked at the paper and said "Written your suicide note?"
But Hawks came out after the break playing like lions. Seven minutes in Wes was upended in the box and Manny Williams slotted home the penalty for the equaliser. Then almost straight after that Ian Simpemba headed home an Ian Selley corner to put us in front. All round the ground Hawks went radio rental. The Simpemba song rang out from the hardcore behind the goal followed by most of the Hawk song book including the Johnny Cash chant.
A cynical foul on Muzzy Tiryaki gave us a 75th minute penalty that Manny converted. Rumours had been flying around the stand about the other games : word was Braintree were losing (good), but Woking were winning (bad) and no-one had any news from Bath v St Albans. As the minutes ticked by people started leaving their seats to watch the closing moments standing at pitchside; I went to find Dick and Lauren and sat with them for the end. With two minutes left in normal time Wes struck again to make it 5-2. The ref seemed to play an eternity of injury time; I sat there silently willing St Albans on to score at Bath, as Hawks fans gathered around the perimeter ready to celebrate if the miracle happened, and clap the team off nonetheless.
The whistle finally went. Trev immediately came on the PA to thank us all for our support over the season, then there was a pause. Speaking for the whole Hawk support, I said out loud "Come on, Trev, read 'em out." After a couple of minutes waiting for someone to give him a sign, presumably that all the other games were finished, he finally obliged : "Braintree Town 1 Newport County 2" - I was one of a handful cheering; from the lack of reaction of most, I had a feeling that word had already got out that we hadn't made it - "Woking 4 Weymouth 0" - I was the only one who could be bothered to boo...
"And unfortunately for us, Bath City 0 St Albans City 0." So that was that. Trev ended with a few words about it having been a great season and signed off "Get your season ticket for next season, that's what I say."
Made my way out of the ground exchanging "Have a good summer" wishes with people I knew. Bob gave me a lift to the Hard. "Looking good for next season," he said.
"If we keep this team together."
Bob said most of the lads were already contracted for next term. Home for the Non League Show on Radio Solent; Galey confirmed that nearly all the boys are signed up, and "we may lose one or two but then we'll bring one or two in." We shall see...
There was a huge crowd (over 1300, it was later announced), boosted by plenty of Portsmouth fans come to lend us their support and a large travelling army from Chelmsford, already assured of a plum play-off spot. Alan stopped me for a chat on my way round the ground, then I stopped by Sharon's Tardis to cast my vote for player of the month. Talking to Dave, when I said I'd see him on Tuesday night (the day of the play-off first leg) "if we make it", Dave replied "If? When we make it!"
"You really think Weymouth or St Albans'll do us a favour?"
"Why not? Stranger things have happened," said Dave, and he began reminiscing about our FA Cup run of two years ago.
When Chelmsford scored twice in the first half, our faint hopes looked dead and buried even when Wes Fogden pulled one back with a beautiful curler from the wing just before the break. I was holding the piece of paper on which I'd written out the teams for my texting duties; as Mike passed me at half time to go to the jacks, he looked at the paper and said "Written your suicide note?"
But Hawks came out after the break playing like lions. Seven minutes in Wes was upended in the box and Manny Williams slotted home the penalty for the equaliser. Then almost straight after that Ian Simpemba headed home an Ian Selley corner to put us in front. All round the ground Hawks went radio rental. The Simpemba song rang out from the hardcore behind the goal followed by most of the Hawk song book including the Johnny Cash chant.
A cynical foul on Muzzy Tiryaki gave us a 75th minute penalty that Manny converted. Rumours had been flying around the stand about the other games : word was Braintree were losing (good), but Woking were winning (bad) and no-one had any news from Bath v St Albans. As the minutes ticked by people started leaving their seats to watch the closing moments standing at pitchside; I went to find Dick and Lauren and sat with them for the end. With two minutes left in normal time Wes struck again to make it 5-2. The ref seemed to play an eternity of injury time; I sat there silently willing St Albans on to score at Bath, as Hawks fans gathered around the perimeter ready to celebrate if the miracle happened, and clap the team off nonetheless.
The whistle finally went. Trev immediately came on the PA to thank us all for our support over the season, then there was a pause. Speaking for the whole Hawk support, I said out loud "Come on, Trev, read 'em out." After a couple of minutes waiting for someone to give him a sign, presumably that all the other games were finished, he finally obliged : "Braintree Town 1 Newport County 2" - I was one of a handful cheering; from the lack of reaction of most, I had a feeling that word had already got out that we hadn't made it - "Woking 4 Weymouth 0" - I was the only one who could be bothered to boo...
"And unfortunately for us, Bath City 0 St Albans City 0." So that was that. Trev ended with a few words about it having been a great season and signed off "Get your season ticket for next season, that's what I say."
Made my way out of the ground exchanging "Have a good summer" wishes with people I knew. Bob gave me a lift to the Hard. "Looking good for next season," he said.
"If we keep this team together."
Bob said most of the lads were already contracted for next term. Home for the Non League Show on Radio Solent; Galey confirmed that nearly all the boys are signed up, and "we may lose one or two but then we'll bring one or two in." We shall see...
